Kolkata Knight Riders have welcomed back New Zealand legend Tim Southee—this time as bowling coach for IPL 2026. The former KKR player, who represented the franchise from 2021 to 2023, returns to familiar surroundings after retiring from international cricket earlier this year.​

A Homecoming

Southee’s appointment marks a natural progression for someone who already knows the KKR culture intimately. “KKR has always felt like home to me, and it’s an honour to return in this new role. The franchise has an incredible culture, passionate fans, and a great group of players. I look forward to working closely with the bowlers and helping the team achieve success in IPL 2026,” the 36-year-old said.​

The move reunites Southee with a franchise where he enjoyed his best IPL season—taking 14 wickets in nine matches during 2022 at an economy of 7.85.​

Replacing Bharat Arun

Southee steps into the role vacated by Bharat Arun, who recently joined Lucknow Super Giants along with spin coach Carl Crowe. His appointment is part of a significant coaching overhaul at KKR following their title-winning 2025 campaign.​

Abhishek Nayar has replaced Chandrakant Pandit as head coach, while Shane Watson was recently named assistant coach. Dwayne Bravo continues as team mentor, completing a revamped coaching setup.​

Illustrious Career

Southee brings immense experience to the role. Across a 15-year international career, he represented New Zealand in 107 Tests, 161 ODIs, and 126 T20Is, claiming 776 wickets. Renowned for his swing bowling, accuracy, and leadership, he captained the Black Caps in all three formats at various points.​

His IPL journey began in 2011 and spanned stints with Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, and finally KKR. Though his overall IPL record shows 47 wickets in 43 matches, his peak came during that memorable 2022 season with the Knight Riders.​

Recent Coaching Experience

Since retiring from international cricket in 2025, Southee has already gained coaching experience. He served as England’s bowling consultant for their home season, including the Test series against India. This experience in a high-pressure international environment will serve him well at KKR.​

Despite taking on coaching roles, Southee hasn’t retired from professional cricket entirely. He recently represented Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred 2025 and will play in the ILT20, maintaining his involvement in franchise cricket.​

CEO’s Endorsement

KKR CEO Venky Mysore expressed delight at the appointment. “We are delighted to welcome Tim Southee back to the KKR family, this time in a coaching capacity. Tim’s vast experience and technical expertise will be instrumental in shaping our bowling unit. His leadership qualities and calm approach make him an ideal mentor for our young bowlers,” Mysore stated.​

Strategic Timing

The appointment comes ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction scheduled for December 15. With KKR set to finalize their retention list before the November 15 deadline, having an experienced bowling coach in place helps shape their auction strategy.

Southee will work closely with Nayar, Watson, and Bravo to identify bowling targets and develop a cohesive unit. His experience with pace and swing bowling in subcontinental conditions makes him particularly valuable for crafting strategies suited to Indian pitches.

Looking Ahead

For Southee, the transition from player to coach represents an exciting new chapter. His calm demeanor, technical acumen, and understanding of modern T20 cricket position him well to nurture KKR’s bowling talent.

With the three-time IPL champions aiming to defend their crown, Southee’s appointment signals their commitment to building a world-class support structure around their playing squad.